cover image The Kill

The Kill

Allison Brennan, . . Ballantine, $6.99 (407pp) ISBN 978-0-345-48523-6

The latest from Brennan (The Hunt ) is a satisfying romantic thriller that pits a smart, gutsy heroine against a serial killer more than three decades into his brutal career. Olivia St. Martin, a scientist with the FBI, is stunned to learn that new DNA evidence has exonerated Brian Hall, the man she helped put away 34 years ago for her sister's murder. Olivia's research reveals that her sister's true killer may be responsible for the rape and murder of almost 30 young girls, including two recent slayings in Seattle. When her supervisor refuses to involve the FBI, Olivia travels to Washington herself, posing as a field agent, to join Seattle Police Det. Zack Travis's investigation. As Zack and Olivia try to find a missing girl before she becomes the next victim, they discover the chemistry between them and soon share more than a case. A subplot involving Hall's quest for revenge adds depth to the novel and propels it to a tense conclusion. While it lacks the nail-biting of topnotch romantic suspense, Brennan's effort should provide adequate escapist fare for fans of the genre. (March)